Yesterday, I received the following from a friend of mine;

"A mother asked this President. 'Why did my son have to die in Iraq?

'A mother asked this President...'Why did my son have to die in Saudi Arabia?'

A mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die in Kuwait?'

Another mother asked this President.. 'Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?'

Another mother asked this President...'Why did my son have to die in Korea?'

Another mother asked this President...'Why did my son have to die on Iwo Jima?'

Another mother asked President...'Why did my son have to die on a battlefield in France?'

Yet another mother asked President... 'Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?'

And yet another mother asked President...'Why did my son have to die on a frozen field near Valley Forge?'

Then long, long ago, a mother asked... 'Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?' The answer is always the same...

'So that others may live and dwell in peace, happiness, and freedom.'

This was emailed to me with no author. I thought the magnitude and the simplicity were awesome.

If you are not willing to stand BEHIND our troops, please, please feel free to stand in front of them...."

Being a soldier and a Believer in Jesus Christ as my Saviour, this ditty above got me fired up a bit, however, it also caused me a slight uneasiness and I wanted to know why.....

So, I searched http://biblegateway.com/ for 'life, friends' and it came to John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Ha... I have referenced that verse before as well when talking to families that have had sons or daughters join the Service. I believe it is a noble act to join the military to fight for the ideals of the USA. But, more, intimately, most soldiers will tell you they would die for their buddy, not necessarily for their country or the cause, etc. BUT... I wanted to review what Christ was saying about this SACRIFICE, so....

John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other."

Why did Christ die? As a way, a sacrifice, for all of mankind to turn to Him, Believe and be saved for eternity; a way back to a right relationship with God. Yes, the result is peace, blessings and freedom from the burden of sinfulness.

What was Christ's command? To love each other as Christ has loved you.

Then He continues by saying, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Jesus physically gave his life for us as the ultimate sacrificial expression of love.

We are to sacrifice our lives, give up our lives for our friend, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate expression of our love for God. Giving up our lives could be dieing, indeed, but, I believe it means surrendering control and dominion of our ... alive ... lives, to God and serving Him each and every day. Sacrificing our desires, our focus, our living for Him and not living for ourselves, the world around us, etc. But, living in His presence through the guidance of His Holy Spirit to do His work here on earth. To the glory of God the Father.

Amen

Love you... Bill/Dad